Marlins get high-caliber lefty in Krook

By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com

SECAUCUS, N.J. -- After selecting arguably the top college hitter in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft in Colin Moran, the Marlins went with a first-round-caliber lefty who'd dropped to the supplemental round.

Thursday started off with a pleasant surprise, when University of North Carolina third baseman Moran slipped to the No. 6 overall pick.

With four picks on the first day, the Marlins cashed in by selecting Matt Krook, a 6-foot-4 left-hander from St. Ignatius High School in San Francisco, with the 35th pick.

"Right now I'm so excited, and I can't wait to start playing ball," Krook said. "I landed right around where I thought I would go. Perfect fit for me."

Krook, a 6-foot-4, 210-pounder, has a commitment to attend the University of Oregon, but he is interested in starting his professional career. The slot allotment for the No. 35 pick is $1,587,700.

"I love Oregon, I love the coaches up there," he said. "But I think at this point I'm ready to play pro ball. I just want to get my career started."

Krook is represented by Matt Sosnick, who also represents right-hander Ricky Nolasco.

"Both me and [Sosnick], we both knew what it would take for me to sign in the long range," Krook said.

No. 35 is a Competitive Balance Round A pick in the supplemental first round. The Marlins obtained the pick, along with outfielder Gorkys Hernandez, from the Pirates last July in exchange for Gaby Sanchez.

In Krook the club is getting a prep standout who will have time to develop. The southpaw has received first-rate instruction, and has worked with former big league pitcher Jesse Foppert.

Krock throws a fastball, clocked as high as 95 mph. He also throws a curveball, slider and changeup.

Though he was considered first-round worthy, he slipped to the supplemental round, falling into the mix of high-end left-handed arms.

A year ago, lefty Andrew Heaney was selected with the ninth overall pick. He is now at Class A Advanced Jupiter.

Krook is likely to start in the New York Penn League, where he can work his way through the system.

Krook also made an impact in high school with his bat, also serving as a left-handed-hitting first baseman.

"I hit pretty well the last few years of high school," he said, "but definitely my focus the last few years has been more on the mound than with the bat."

Marlins select Moran with No. 6 pick

SECAUCUS, N.J. -- The Marlins took a major step in addressing their need for an impact bat by selecting highly touted Colin Moran with the No. 6 overall pick in Thursday's First-Year Player Draft.

A left-handed-hitting third baseman from the University of North Carolina, the 20-year-old Moran was initially not considered to be in reach for Miami. But the way the first five picks fell, he dropped to sixth, and was immediately taken to fill a big void in the system.

"He is one of the premier college bats in the country," said Stan Meek, vice president of scouting. "We really thought he would go in front of us. We were obviously thrilled that he got down to us. He fits a need, but also fits us from an ability standpoint.

"There is a lot of history of success with the bat, and [he is] able to play third. He fits a great spot for us. It's really a perfect fit."

The Marlins have lacked a consistent third baseman since they traded Miguel Cabrera to the Tigers after the 2007 season.

Moran's 6-foot-3 frame is similar to that of Washington third baseman Ryan Zimmerman. And Meek says Moran draws some similarities to Hall of Famer Wade Boggs.

"Maybe there is a little Boggs in the glove," he said. "He's a solid defender, he kind of moves a little bit like Wade Boggs. I wouldn't put the 'Wade Boggs' tag on him, that's a little tough on anybody. He's more of a Boggsy-type hitter."

All along the Marlins were leaning toward going with a college player. If Moran hadn't been available, they likely would have gone with a college pitcher, with Braden Shipley from the University of Nevada an option.

Moran received the news while watching the Draft, along with about 30 friends and teammates, at his mother's apartment in Cary, N.C.

"Right before the pick, I kind of had an idea I was going to get picked," Moran said. "It was awesome."

Moran is the nephew of former big leaguer B.J. Surhoff, a past No. 1 overall pick.

"He was big for us, paving the way for me and my family," Moran said.

The way the Marlins look at it, baseball has always been in Moran's blood.

"Bloodlines are big for us," Meek said. "To have that bloodline, plus his skills, we just thought it was a great spot for us."

Moran rooted for the Yankees growing up, and Tino Martinez, the Marlins' current hitting coach, was one of his favorite players.

In his junior season at North Carolina, Moran batted .348 with 13 home runs, 10 doubles, 86 RBIs and 70 runs in 64 games.

Quiet off the field, Moran is fiery on it. In March 2012 he let his temper get the best of him after he made a throwing error. He punched a wall and broke his hand.

"I like a little fire in his belly," Meek said. "A guy who wants to play rather than a guy we have to push out of the dugout to play."

Moran notes that his demeanor is different in the heat of action.

"I think I'm a little different on the field than I am off," he said. "Off the field I'm more relaxed and easygoing. I'm a really big competitor. I'm one of those guys who hates to lose. I try to do my best."

With five of the first 80 picks, the Marlins have a hectic few couple of rounds, and they had four selections on the first day.

In addition to No. 6, they had 35, 44 and 73.

No. 35 was a Competitive Balance Round A pick in the supplemental first round. The Marlins obtained the pick, along with outfielder Gorkys Hernandez, from the Pirates last July in exchange for Gaby Sanchez.

No. 73 was a Competitive Balance Round B supplemental second-round pick that was part of the trade that sent Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante to the Tigers last July for Jacob Turner, Rob Brantly and Brian Flynn.

With the 35th pick, the Marlins went with pitcher Matt Krook from St. Ignatius High School in San Francisco. The 6-foot-4 left-hander, who possesses a 94-to-95-mph fastball, has a commitment to Oregon.

The Marlins again went with pitching with their second-round choice, taking right-hander Trevor Williams from Arizona State University at No. 44.

The Marlins' final pick of the day, the 73rd, was University of Arkansas closer Colby Suggs.

All teams have until July 12 to sign their picks.

The Marlins have $9,503,100 to spend on their picks, including an allotment of $3,516,500 on No. 6 and $1,587,700 on No. 35.

Meek doesn't think it will be an issue to sign Moran.

"I think we will get this done," he said. "It's time for him to go play. The money will be significant, so we should be fine."

Day 2 of the Draft continues with Rounds 3-10, streamed live on MLB.com on Friday, beginning with a preview show at 12:30 p.m. And Rounds 11-40 will be streamed live on MLB.com on Saturday, starting at 1 p.m.

In the Pipeline:
Assuming he signs, Moran likely will start off at low Class A Greensboro.

Moran immediately should rank among the Marlins' top prospects, and his path to the big leagues will likely be in his own hands. Miami already has shown that it will promote players quickly. A prime example is Jose Fernandez, who, at the age of 20, opened the 2013 season in the rotation two years after he was the No. 14 overall pick.

The organization doesn't have any natural third basemen blocking Moran in the system.

"Like all these guys, we didn't know Jose Fernandez would get there that fast," Meek said. "We don't really know. I will say this, we think he's an advanced college bat. Take that for what it's worth. Hopefully, it won't take that long. But you never know. These guys kind of drive their own train. We sure think he would be a little quicker than some of these high school kids."

Williams brings raw potential to Marlins organization

SECAUCUS, N.J. -- There are advantages -- and some bewilderment -- when it comes to Trevor Williams.

The 21-year-old right-hander from Arizona State has a high upside, yet his performance didn't always match his ability. But the Marlins saw enough raw potential in him to select him in the second round of Thursday's First-Year Player Draft.

Williams was the 44th overall pick, and he projects to start his professional career at low Class A Greensboro.

In Williams, a native of San Diego, the Marlins are getting a sinkerballer who went 6-6 with a 4.12 ERA in 111 1/3 innings. He struck out 81 and walked 26.

Williams offers flexibility because he can start or pitch out of the bullpen. His pure talent has many in the industry wondering why he hasn't seen better results.

Williams will mix into a growing list of young prospects. Being college seasoned increases his chances to rise quickly through the system, but he faces stiff competition along the way.

Marlins finish Day 1 by drafting Suggs

SECAUCUS, N.J. -- Colby Suggs might have been the fourth player the Marlins selected on Thursday in the First-Year Player Draft, but the 21-year-old just might be the quickest of the group to reach the big leagues.

With the 73rd pick on Day 1, the Marlins chose the hard-throwing right-hander from the University of Arkansas.

Suggs is a six-foot, 225-pound reliever who already has been tested in the Southeastern Conference as well as in the Cape Cod League, which uses wood bats. His fastball is in the 95-mph range. In 23 appearances for Arkansas, Suggs had a 1.74 ERA, striking out 29 in 20 2/3 innings.

For Miami, No. 73 was a Competitive Balance Round B supplemental second-round pick that was part of the trade that sent Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante to the Tigers last July in exchange for Jacob Turner, Rob Brantly and Brian Flynn.

Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. He writes a blog, called The Fish Pond. Follow him on Twitter @JoeFrisaro. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.